Mesentery

This serves to attach the abdominal viscera to the posterior abdominal wall. It can be subdivided as follows:

  1. Mesoduodenum - dorsal mesentery of the duodenum

  2. Mesentery proper - dorsal mesentery of part of the small intestine (jejenum and ileum)

  3. Mesoappendix - dorsal mesentery of the appendix

  4. Mesocolon - dorsal mesentery of the colon

The ventral mesentery will give rise to the lesser omentum and the falciform ligament of the liver.

Supracolic and Infracolic Compartments:

The supracolic and infracolic compartments come about by the transverse mesocolon dividing the abdominal cavity into different regions.

The supracolic compartment contains the following structures:

  1. Stomach

  2. Liver

  3. Spleen

The infracolic compartment contains the following structures:

  1. Small intestines

  2. Ascending colon

  3. Descending colon

Communication between the supracolic and infracolic compartments occurs through the paracolic gutters that lie on either side of the transverse mesocolon.

Clinical Notes:

1. Peritoneal dialysis is when dialysis fluid is injected into the peritoneal cavity.
2. Ascites is the clinical condition of having excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
3. Peritonitis is when there is an infection of the peritoneum. Adhesions may form between the adjacent layers of the peritoneum and therefore limit normal visceral movements. This in turn can cause pain and intestinal obstruction in the event that parts of the intestines twist around an adhesion - also known as volvulus.